Benjamin Franklin (1706—1790) was a self-taught man, who loved to read. Through his love of reading he was able to become an inventor, statesman, and famous intellectual. He was born in Boston to a soap maker who eventually fathered seventeen children. Even though he wanted his son to join the clergy, he was unable to send him through the schooling. Because of this, Benjamin apprenticed with his half-brother James and learned the trade of printing. He later worked for various papers and even wrote his own articles.

Although active in the government, he never intended to become one of the prominent leaders of a movement. From 1757- 1775 he served his countrymen as a representative to England for various issues. Originally, he was a loyalist and did not see the need for separation from England. He even backed the Stamp Act, which caused a lot of trouble for his family back home in America. After some time he came to see the corruption in the court and knew the colonies had to obtain their freedom from England. He stumbled upon letters from Thomas Hutchinson (Royal Governor of Massachusetts) that showed his true alliance with England. Franklin sent these letters to America, where they were published. The incident made him lose favor in the court and he traveled home. When he returned home he served at the Second Continental Congress, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and a signer of the Constitution. During the American Revolution, he traveled to France and served as an ambassador. He was one of the members who formulated the Treaty of Paris, ending the American Revolution.

Franklin believed that electricity and lightning were the same thing. After proving his theory with his famous kite experiment, he created the lightning rod to reduce the number of house fires lightning caused. He also invented bifocals, because he was both far-sighted and near-sighted. Franklin also loved music and invented his own instrument, the armonica, which both Mozart and Beethoven composed music for. Another invention still in use today is flotation devises to help teach people to swim. He was able to accomplish everything with very little education, just a love of reading. 

By: Jessica McKenzie

Credits and Sources:

“A Quick Biography of Benjamin Franklin.” Independence Hall Association. Accessed September 18, 2016. http://www.ushistory.org/franklin/info/ 

American History From Revolution to Reconstruction and Beyond. “Benjamin Franklin His Autobiography 1706-1757: A Short Biography.” University of Groningen. Accessed September 18, 2016. http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/biographies/benjamin-franklin/a-short-biography.php

“Benjamin Franklin and Electricity.” Library of Congress. Accessed September 18, 2016. http://www.americaslibrary.gov/aa/franklinb/aa_franklinb_electric_2.html

Canavan, Kathy. “Ben Franklin: Facts and Fallacies.” Messenger13, no. 4 (2005) Accessed September 18, 2016. http://www1.udel.edu/PR/Messenger/04/04/ben.html